I want to paint my calipers but PROFESSIONALLY if possible.. please need suggestions.
03-16-12, 09:43 AM
#16
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I would not recommend powder coating calipers - it can't handle the heat cycles (expansion and contraction) and eventually pops off in chunks. Companies like StopTech and Brembo actually use a two-part epoxy paint - the correct way to do it is to prep, paint, apply graphics, and then clear coat the entire affair. There's a shop out here in So Cal that does a lot of it - you're looking at $600+ to do a set of calipers, including graphics and clear.
If you're painitng the stock calipers, I don't see the point in going this route - a spray an works pretty well, and stock calipers should only be black or grey anyway (who would want to call attention to their puny stock brakes?). i did the calipers on my Odyssey work van in "Engine builders Cast Iron Grey" which looks pretty good.
I also don't understand the "Lexus" caliper logo thing; is this in case you forget what kind of car you have? Here I am removing emblems and you guys are adding them.... just seems so Pep Boys to me. Would look nice with a "Special Edition" badge on your trunk, I suppose. We call this the MLC package (Mid-Life Crisis).
Also, please, please, please paint those rusty brake rotor hats black!
If you're painitng the stock calipers, I don't see the point in going this route - a spray an works pretty well, and stock calipers should only be black or grey anyway (who would want to call attention to their puny stock brakes?). i did the calipers on my Odyssey work van in "Engine builders Cast Iron Grey" which looks pretty good.
I also don't understand the "Lexus" caliper logo thing; is this in case you forget what kind of car you have? Here I am removing emblems and you guys are adding them.... just seems so Pep Boys to me. Would look nice with a "Special Edition" badge on your trunk, I suppose. We call this the MLC package (Mid-Life Crisis).
Also, please, please, please paint those rusty brake rotor hats black!
I like my black painted calipers with the Lexus logo.
This is Pepboys
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-Brembo-S...488ed6&vxp=mtr
03-16-12, 01:09 PM
#17
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I own a paint/powder coat shop..
I do plenty of calipers...I ask the customers to break them down, go ahead and spend 20-30$ on a rebuild kit...
The logo is a little tricky, it can get expensive to do THE RIGHT WAY with powder..Basically you would lay a base coat down (white)...Then use a vinyl decal over the white, coat with whatever color finish you want, half cure, remove decals, back in the oven for full cure, clear coat to finish...
A cheaper method is to coat whatever color finish you want, lay the decals on and just use an automotive clear coat...Because the vinyl decals will not hold up to the temps that powder cures at (350-400degrees)
If you have any questions feel free to PM me..
I do plenty of calipers...I ask the customers to break them down, go ahead and spend 20-30$ on a rebuild kit...
The logo is a little tricky, it can get expensive to do THE RIGHT WAY with powder..Basically you would lay a base coat down (white)...Then use a vinyl decal over the white, coat with whatever color finish you want, half cure, remove decals, back in the oven for full cure, clear coat to finish...
A cheaper method is to coat whatever color finish you want, lay the decals on and just use an automotive clear coat...Because the vinyl decals will not hold up to the temps that powder cures at (350-400degrees)
If you have any questions feel free to PM me..
03-17-12, 10:08 PM
#19
Lexus Champion
I agree with the method of painting them, but your statement is just silly all together, some can argue why debage a "luxury" car this isn't a Honda. That being said my car is debaged. 
I can't speak for everyone else, to ME its an upgrade as well as keeping it factory/clean... Everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion an this is mine. There's nothing Pep Boyish about my car ...
I can't speak for everyone else, to ME its an upgrade as well as keeping it factory/clean... Everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion an this is mine. There's nothing Pep Boyish about my car ...Got it.
This is exactly why I don't come on the forums anymore.
03-17-12, 10:31 PM
#20
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Havent u guys heard of these these?! http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isc...0&bih=208#i=17
Hahahah Jk! Diy paint like they said
Hahahah Jk! Diy paint like they said
03-18-12, 08:57 AM
#21
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
I own a paint/powder coat shop..
I do plenty of calipers...I ask the customers to break them down, go ahead and spend 20-30$ on a rebuild kit...
The logo is a little tricky, it can get expensive to do THE RIGHT WAY with powder..Basically you would lay a base coat down (white)...Then use a vinyl decal over the white, coat with whatever color finish you want, half cure, remove decals, back in the oven for full cure, clear coat to finish...
A cheaper method is to coat whatever color finish you want, lay the decals on and just use an automotive clear coat...Because the vinyl decals will not hold up to the temps that powder cures at (350-400degrees)
If you have any questions feel free to PM me..
I do plenty of calipers...I ask the customers to break them down, go ahead and spend 20-30$ on a rebuild kit...
The logo is a little tricky, it can get expensive to do THE RIGHT WAY with powder..Basically you would lay a base coat down (white)...Then use a vinyl decal over the white, coat with whatever color finish you want, half cure, remove decals, back in the oven for full cure, clear coat to finish...
A cheaper method is to coat whatever color finish you want, lay the decals on and just use an automotive clear coat...Because the vinyl decals will not hold up to the temps that powder cures at (350-400degrees)
If you have any questions feel free to PM me..
. What do you recommend my friend? I'll do it myself I'm not afraid of DIY scenarios. Just explain to me the steps and the exact paint I would have to use with the coats I have to apply in order. I'll post all my pics as I go once I start. Thanks again to you and EVERYONE who has actually sat down and added to this thread. I'm still fairly new to CL and appreciate all the comments, opinions, advice, etc.
06-05-12, 08:27 AM
#23
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simple DIY
Some one help the guy with a simple question..
I do want to paint my calipers red also, my opinion, my way, it looks good in expensive cars, because they are big calipers... It looks good in the IS 350...
any ways here is the steps when I did them looong time ago, I used carburetor cleaner to get any grease or dust from the surface to be painted, then of course use any color paint you prefer that is heat resistant, as mentioned earlier G2 paint, cover with masking tape parts you dont want painted, specially inside not showing and parts where it would be any movement, apply even coat, go easy, let dry, apply again. I am not sure about the clear coat, never did it, I guess is easy to find now at auto parts, Heat resistant too. That is my two cents..
I do want to paint my calipers red also, my opinion, my way, it looks good in expensive cars, because they are big calipers... It looks good in the IS 350...
any ways here is the steps when I did them looong time ago, I used carburetor cleaner to get any grease or dust from the surface to be painted, then of course use any color paint you prefer that is heat resistant, as mentioned earlier G2 paint, cover with masking tape parts you dont want painted, specially inside not showing and parts where it would be any movement, apply even coat, go easy, let dry, apply again. I am not sure about the clear coat, never did it, I guess is easy to find now at auto parts, Heat resistant too. That is my two cents..
06-05-12, 09:37 AM
#24
If the calipers you're considering the stock GS calipers just DIY and paint them silver or black. Painting the front GS calipers and bright colors that stand out can go terribly wrong as shown in the previous page. It only shows off just how ugly the stock front GS calipers look. Now if you're doing the Supra or LS caliper swap thats a different story. A 4 piston caliper is much more pleasing to the eye.
I ended up buying a used set of LS front calipers and a spare set of rear calipers (since my old ones were grinded down to clear some wheels). Since I was going to take them apart and have them rebuilt anyways I decided to go the powder coating route and I'm really happy I did. Since sandblasting is a part of the powder coating prep, the calipers came back cleaner than factory new. Here's some photos of the results
I ended up buying a used set of LS front calipers and a spare set of rear calipers (since my old ones were grinded down to clear some wheels). Since I was going to take them apart and have them rebuilt anyways I decided to go the powder coating route and I'm really happy I did. Since sandblasting is a part of the powder coating prep, the calipers came back cleaner than factory new. Here's some photos of the results
06-05-12, 10:37 AM
#25
Def a great DIY project. I'm always hesitant to do these things, but they turned out great. Used the G2 kit and as everyone says, prepping is the most important part!
06-05-12, 10:54 AM
#27
06-05-12, 12:45 PM
#29
I bought it off of a member here. But I did see them on eBay, but cant seem to find it anymore. The company who makes them and sells them is from Korea. They still sell them but they look different now.. I think its because the originals were very fragile and could crack in have from shipping. Mine had a minor hairline crack between the X and L but you couldn't tell now that its mounted on the caliper. They come with a double sided on the back but I added super glue just to be safe.
This is what they used to look like http://dlwlstnr70.cafe24.com/640/LEX...0part19.99.jpg
Here's the new listing. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kspeed-LEXUS...item20c26d5725
This is what they used to look like http://dlwlstnr70.cafe24.com/640/LEX...0part19.99.jpg
Here's the new listing. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kspeed-LEXUS...item20c26d5725
Last edited by Sonic_RC; 06-05-12 at 12:59 PM.